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I knew such a reply would come at once. It´s like a Table Tennis match. But what shall the other 99% or 95% do? Blisters and feet problems are a very common problem. I have helped many pilgrims with feetproblems during my Caminos. Weak shoes or too stiff boots/shoes, not walking enough before, unfamiliar with long distance hiking with heavy backpack, walking long distance in heat or shoes/boots that didn´t withstand heavy rain, not so suitable socks. Here you have some of the main problems. Your answer will not help people, who are not in your position and why should you argue against a really good advice that is found on this video and will make many people think before they start a Camino that can be very painful? Then you have swollen ankles and feets. There are many things for the average pilgrim to be aware of and be prepared for. It´s not so easy to stop for a weeks rest if needed.I love this guy's videos. His particularly style of slightly nerdy deadpan delivery for me really makes his videos entertaining.
I know this is gonna kickstart a whole new blister discussion, but I just wanna say I walked the Frances as a hiking newbie with new shoes last year and had zero blisters, so I'm living proof it is possible!
The key here is to have shoes that fit well and are comfortable right from the start. I must have tried on twenty pairs before settling on my pair.
And then there's my other secret German weapon - Hirschtalg - a foot cream made from deer fat, which creates the best protection against feet losing their natural protective oils, making them vulnerable to rubbing. Works better than anything else I'm tried... but not good for vegans
I knew such a reply would come at once. It´s like a Table Tennis match. But what shall the other 99% or 95% do? Blisters and feet problems are a very common problem. I have helped many pilgrims with feetproblems during my Caminos. Weak shoes or too stiff boots/shoes, not walking enough before, unfamiliar with long distance hiking with heavy backpack, walking long distance in heat or shoes/boots that didn´t withstand heavy rain, not so suitable socks. Here you have some of the main problems. Your answer will not help people, who are not in your position and why should you argue against a really good advice that is found on this video and will make many people think before they start a Camino that can be very painful? Then you have swollen ankles and feets. There are many things for the average pilgrim to be aware of and be prepared for. It´s not so easy to stop for a weeks rest if needed.
This is one of the best recommendations I have ever seen on Youtube regarding walking 800 km. I have seen too many pilgrims walk into stores in Spain and buy new boots since their light trekking shoes had broke down. Then they had to continue in new boots and all kind of problems with your feet could occur. Well taken care feet will take you safely to Santiago.
Most of the problems on the camino - or in life! - do not have a single clear solutions. That is the explanation for the debate currently on this thread. One person says - this is the key solution. Another person says - no, I have a contrary example that disproves it. That does not mean that the "suggestion" or "consideration" is invalid. It simply means the matter is more complicated than an absolute statement can address.
Yes, the bathtub curve is just of an illustration of a common trend or tendency.presenting a graph with a profile of when people get injured was a bit disingenuous on his part.
I have seen too many pilgrims walk into stores in Spain and buy new boots since their light trekking shoes had broke down. Then they had to continue in new boots
His graph looks great but is based purely on anecdotal evidence and what he thinks feels right. In my equally anecdotal knowledge of camino injuries most people I know have experienced issues in the middle stages due to heat, long road sections etc.
Same here, but I've only walked two Caminos so far.I have worn trail runners on 3 Caminos (650-800 kilometers each) and never had a pair break down yet. I love them!
No, not so simple, although the advice is a good start. I walk dozens of 15-km walks in my boots/shoes/shoes beforehand, without any signs of problems, but always get a few blisters on the Camino. An extra 10 km, day after day, plus different and uneven surfaces, and heat, lead to blisters in spite of my preparation.It is quite simple. Whatever shoe/boot and sock and insole combination you decide to wear on the Camino, make sure you walk at least ten walks of a minimum of ten kilometres each in them before you start your Camino.
I’m on Camino #3 and have never taken my socks off during the day. I’ve had no blisters. You need to walk long distance in whatever shoe you plan to wear to see how they do. Everyone is different.I suspect the main risk with wearing new footwear on the Camino is that you may not know completely how the boots are going to feel when you are walking more than 20km a day in them. If you’re like most people, when you buy shoes you simply lace them up and then walk around the store a little bit, and then pronounce them a good fit or a bad fit. If you got the fit right, then you may luck out on the Camino. A friend who wore new footwear on his first Camino was not so lucky and found his boots were too small. He had terrible blistering problems. I’m honestly not sure how much of the risk of wearing new footwear has to do with them not being limbered up.
I found during my training lead-up to my first Camino that I didn’t really start noticing hot spots until I had walked over 10 km. I soon learned that the pair of Merrill boots I had planned to wear would be a major problem on the Camino. I had thought these boots fit perfectly in the store, but once on the trail for a good stretch of time I realized that the toe box was too narrow. I changed to Keen Targhee boots, which are known for having a nice, wide toe box. I had only minor blister issues on my Camino.
The one critical area he did not cover in his video is that of foot hygiene and care. I found this to be essential in avoiding blisters. Dry socks are essential. I changed socks a couple times a day. I also applied petroleum jelly to my feet prior to putting socks on each time. Once I started following this regimen my few small blisters went away, never to return.
Always worked for me.No, not so simple, although the advice is a good start. I walk dozens of 15-km walks in my boots/shoes/shoes beforehand, without any signs of problems, but always get a few blisters on the Camino. An extra 10 km, day after day, plus different and uneven surfaces, and heat, lead to blisters in spite of my preparation.
You are fortunate. I'll keep giving the advice to change into dry socks. It helped me immensely, and I know it has helped others as well. It is true that everyone is different, but we all sweat and moisture combined with heat can cause blisters to form on anyone. In my book, dry feet are happy feet.I’m on Camino #3 and have never taken my socks off during the day. I’ve had no blisters. You need to walk long distance in whatever shoe you plan to wear to see how they do. Everyone is different.
Since you know where you tend to develop blisters have you put tape on those areas? I swear by Omnifix tape. I put it on the balls of my feet daily and around my second toes, because those are the places that I've had blisters in the past. A big part of testing out footwear on long walks is to discover where you might be blister prone, so that you can treat the area prophylactically.I’m on the Camino Portuguese right now on day 5 and have the same two blisters in the exact same places as last year on the Frances. I trained for the past 5 months with trail runners and backpack and feel for 70 am in good enough shape. Blisters are just a part of doing a lot of walking. I have great knees because I wear compression sleeves on both legs each day. Works for me. Buon Camino
Yes pre-taping works for me too (as well as getting and pre-trialing the most comfortable shoes I can find).Since you know where you tend to develop blisters have you put tape on those areas? I swear by Omnifix tape. I put it on the balls of my feet daily and around my second toes, because those are the places that I've had blisters in the past. A big part of testing out footwear on long walks is to discover where you might be blister prone, so that you can treat the area prophylactically.
Love it. I just hope that I have done all he suggests as we set out next week.This is one of the best recommendations I have ever seen on Youtube regarding walking 800 km. I have seen too many pilgrims walk into stores in Spain and buy new boots since their light trekking shoes had broke down. Then they had to continue in new boots and all kind of problems with your feet could occur. Well taken care feet will take you safely to Santiago.
I have just watched that video and a couple of others he has done. They are very good. I especially like the fact that he sensibly outlines some of the main considerations and suggests ways to approach the situation.
Most of the problems on the camino - or in life! - do not have a single clear solutions. That is the explanation for the debate currently on this thread. One person says - this is the key solution. Another person says - no, I have a contrary example that disproves it. That does not mean that the "suggestion" or "consideration" is invalid. It simply means the matter is more complicated than an absolute statement can address.
Hi RichardSince you know where you tend to develop blisters have you put tape on those areas? I swear by Omnifix tape. I put it on the balls of my feet daily and around my second toes, because those are the places that I've had blisters in the past. A big part of testing out footwear on long walks is to discover where you might be blister prone, so that you can treat the area prophylactically.
I'm not Richard, but since you quoted my post I'll reply.Hi Richard
do you use a different tape for the toes compared to the ball of your feet?
I have heard people talk about different types of tape and having not used tape am not sure what would be best to buy.
Thanks
happymark
No just ordinary surgical tape from any pharmacy. It peels easily at night. The very thin socks grip the Aquaphor ointment and any movement/ friction is then between the two pairs of socks.Hi Richard
do you use a different tape for the toes compared to the ball of your feet?
I have heard people talk about different types of tape and having not used tape am not sure what would be best to buy.
Thanks
happymark
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